Protecting Our Environment

Brent’s environment, our streets, parks, trees and public spaces is central to the health and wellbeing of residents and to the future of the borough. Yet after 15 years of Labour, environmental ambition has too often been undermined by poor delivery, short-term thinking and missed opportunities. Residents want cleaner neighbourhoods, greener streets and a Council that takes climate responsibility seriously and visibly, all year round.

Protecting the environment means thinking bigger and acting smarter. Recycling must be simpler and more effective, not confusing or inconvenient. Our green spaces and parks must be protected, properly maintained and made safe for everyone to enjoy. Tree cover across the borough must be expanded, with proper funding to plant and care for them. Reducing congestion and pollution means making public transport more accessible and reliable, so people are not forced to rely on cars for everyday journeys.

The Council must also lead by example. Cutting the Council’s own carbon footprint, starting with better insulation and energy efficiency in community buildings which will save money in the long term and show that environmental responsibility and good financial management go hand in hand.

Liberal Democrats believe environmental protection should be practical, visible and rooted in everyday life. The following proposals set out how we will protect Brent’s environment, improve quality of life for residents, and build a greener, healthier borough. 

1. We will change the confusing and unpopular blue bag recycling system introduced by Labour, which has consistently failed to deliver the projected increases in recycling tonnage. A resident-led petition signed by over 3,000 residents demonstrated clear demand for a simpler, more effective approach. In its place, we will provide residents who request one with an additional lidded wheelie bin for paper and cardboard, as originally proposed by the Liberal Democrats during the 2022–2026 Council term, making recycling in Brent easier, and more efficient.

    

2. We will reintroduce a dedicated trees budget in Brent to properly maintain and protect the borough’s existing mature trees. This funding will also support an ambitious programme of new tree planting, increasing Brent’s green canopy, enhancing the look and feel of our streets, parks, and public spaces. A stronger and more extensive tree network will help tackle air pollution, mitigate the effects of climate change and contribute directly to the borough’s environmental and air quality targets, while improving residents’ health and wellbeing.

    

3. We will protect Brent’s much-loved green spaces and parks, ensuring they are safe, accessible and welcoming for all residents. The Council will fully support ‘Friends of Parks’ groups and work closely with volunteers who dedicate countless hours to improving and maintaining our parks and open spaces. We will make safety a priority, installing additional CCTV and improved lighting in areas where issues exist and we will protect parks from any overdevelopment, which has been threatened by actions from the current Labour Council, ensuring these spaces remain for the community, not for private profit
   
    
4. We will work to make public transport in Brent more accessible, reducing reliance on cars, cutting congestion and helping to tackle pollution across the borough. After 15 years of Labour running Brent and their significant influence at the Greater London Authority, promised improvements to step-free access at tube stations have been repeatedly delayed, leaving residents frustrated. We will push the Labour Mayor of London to finally deliver step-free access across stations in the borough, with particular focus on Alperton, Queen’s Park, and Willesden Green, where attention has been given but progress has always been too slow. Making public transport genuinely accessible will benefit older residents, families and people with disabilities, while encouraging greener, more sustainable travel options for everyone in Brent.
   
    
5. We will improve the insulation and energy efficiency of Council-owned community facilities and buildings across Brent to reduce the borough’s carbon footprint and lower running costs. Upgrading insulation, heating, and energy systems will make buildings warmer in winter, cooler in summer, and more comfortable for residents using them. These measures will also demonstrate the Council leading by example in tackling the climate crisis, saving money for taxpayers, and supporting Brent’s environmental and sustainability targets.